Driving in snow and ice: grip, black ice, skids and when to stay home
How to spot black ice, recover from a skid and decide when to stay home
Picture a bright morning after a thaw. The highway looks dry, but the overpass ahead has a wet sheen. The car in front throws no spray. Pennsylvania’s driver manual calls that a warning sign of black ice [8].
Nearly 70% of Americans live where at least 5 inches of snow falls each year, FHWA notes [2]. From 2019 to 2023, crashes during snow, sleet or freezing rain killed an average of 407 people a year and injured about 34,200 [1].
This guide pairs road weather science with what driving instructors teach, from where ice hides to how to handle a skid and when to wait.
The real winter risk: slick roads after the snow stops
FHWA counts winter crashes by the weather at the time and by the road surface, with more deaths on slick pavement [2]:
- During snowfall or sleet: nearly 900 deaths and about 76,000 injuries a year [2].
- On snowy, slushy or icy pavement: more than 1,300 deaths and 116,800 injuries a year [2].
FHWA does not list the years behind these estimates [2]. In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) counted 320 fatal crashes during falling snow or sleet [3].
The gap between FHWA’s two counts carries the lesson. Many winter crashes happen after the snow stops, on roads that look clear but still hold ice. So stay alert after the plows finish.
Traction: how much grip you have left
Think of grip as a budget your tires share among braking, steering and accelerating. The budget is large on dry pavement, shrinks on snow and nearly disappears on ice. That is why the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) advises doing only one thing at a time in winter: accelerate, brake or turn [11].
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Surface | How it behaves | Starting point for your speed |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh, loose snow | Tires can bite, but grip changes from spot to spot | Well below the limit, with gentle inputs |
| Packed snow | Polished smooth by traffic | About half your normal speed [8] |
| Slush | Pulls at the wheels and hides ruts | Slow down; keep both hands on the wheel |
| Ice or black ice | Very little grip | A crawl [8] |
| Ice near 32°F | Often the slickest surface of all | Wait it out if you can [10] |
Oregon’s driver manual notes that roads are often most slippery near the freezing point rather than far below it [10]. A thin film of water on the ice makes it even slicker.
Your dashboard thermometer measures the air, not the pavement. The National Weather Service (NWS) notes that frost often forms when thermometers read in the mid 30s, because surfaces cool faster than the air on clear nights [5]. A practical rule: at 38°F or below, expect ice on bridges and in the shade.
Bridges, overpasses and black ice: where ice hides
Black ice is a thin, clear layer of ice that lets the dark pavement show through. That is why the road looks wet rather than white [5, 7]. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) says it forms when pavement is colder than the air. As a result, moisture freezes as soon as it lands [7].
NWS and state manuals warn that bridges and overpasses freeze before other road surfaces [5, 9]. The reason is heat: the ground under a road stores warmth and releases it slowly. But a bridge deck has cold air above and below it. Oregon’s manual adds that shade does the same, leaving icy patches on an otherwise clear road [10].
- Where: bridges, overpasses and ramps [9], tunnels [7], and stretches shaded by trees, hills or buildings [8, 10].
- When: early morning, as the air warms faster than the pavement [7], and the first cold night after rain or a thaw [5].
- Clues: pavement that looks wet while the cars ahead throw no spray [8], frost on your windshield [5], or steering that suddenly feels light.
Braking, steering and starting: smooth is safe
Start gently: Oregon’s manual warns that a heavy foot on the gas can break the tires loose [10]. Your owner’s manual explains any snow mode.
Brake early: AAA suggests easing off far enough ahead that you can keep rolling while a red light turns green [13].
With ABS: NHTSA advises firm, continuous pressure on the brake pedal [3]. Don’t pump, because the system does that for you. Steer around trouble.
Without ABS: rest your heel on the floor and squeeze the pedal with the ball of your foot, as AAA describes [13]. Stop just short of locking the wheels, a skill called threshold braking. If they lock, ease off and reapply [3].
Electronic stability control (ESC) brakes individual wheels to keep the car heading where you steer. Federal rules have required it on all new light vehicles since September 1, 2011 [14]. It can catch a slide, but it cannot create grip your tires lack.
Hills and cruise control: Build gentle momentum before an uphill stretch and try not to stop partway up [13]. Going down, shift to a lower gear and brake gently [11]. Keep cruise control off on snow and ice [7, 10, 13].
How to recover from a skid
In a rear wheel skid, the back of the car swings out and starts to spin. In a front wheel skid, you turn the wheel, but the car plows straight ahead.
Skid recovery routine
- Look where you want to go, not at what you fear hitting, because your hands tend to follow your eyes.
- Ease off the gas and stay off a hard brake, since Oregon’s manual warns that stabbing the brakes can send a car into a skid [10].
- Rear skid: steer gently in the same direction the rear is sliding, which points the front back toward your path [9].
- Catch the swing: as the car straightens, unwind the wheel and keep making small corrections until you are back in control [10].
- Front skid: hold the wheel where it is instead of turning it more. Lift off the gas, and select neutral or press the clutch. As the tires regain grip, steer toward your path [9].
- If you must stop, hold firm pressure with ABS, or ease off and reapply without it [3].
- Slow down after you recover, since a skid means you were going too fast for the grip you had.
Following distance and snowplows
AAA advises 5 to 6 seconds of following distance on snow and ice [13]. Pennsylvania’s manual suggests about 10 times the normal space [8]. At 30 mph, a 6 second gap is about 264 feet, nearly the length of a football field (our calculation). See our guide to safe following distance to learn how to count it.
Give snowplows extra room with three habits:
Tires, chains and the snowflake symbol
CDOT describes three main tire types for winter [11]:
- All season tires marked M+S (mud and snow) handle light snow better than those without the mark, but they have limits.
- All weather tires grip well in slush, rain and wet snow. You can use them year round.
- Winter tires carry a mountain and snowflake symbol and use rubber that stays flexible in the cold, which helps them grip.
CDOT says winter, all weather and M+S tires stop much more quickly in winter conditions than regular all season tires [11]. Mount winter tires on all four wheels [11], ideally before the first storm, as New York’s manual advises [9].
When winter tires make sense: choose them if snow lingers for weeks, you drive early, hilly or rural routes, or you can’t stay home on bad days. Where snow is rare and melts within a day, good M+S tires and flexible plans may do.
Tread, pressure and chains: NHTSA says tread should be at least 2/32 inch [3], but snow calls for more. Colorado’s traction rules require 3/16 inch [11]. Cold air lowers tire pressure. So check monthly when the tires are cold and fill to the figure in your owner’s manual [3]. For storm travel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises tire chains [6]. Practice fitting them in your driveway first.
Before you go: clear the whole car and pack a kit
Clear snow and ice from every window, the roof and hood, the wipers and all your lights, as New York’s manual advises [9]. Roof snow can slide over your windshield when you brake or blow into the car behind. Clean, lit headlights help others see you.
Before winter, NHTSA recommends checking your battery, wipers, coolant and lights and filling the reservoir with winter washer fluid [3]. Keep the tank close to full. Keep electric vehicles charged, since cold cuts their range [3]. For parents: NHTSA advises removing bulky coats before buckling children into car seats. Tuck a blanket over the harness instead [3].
Compiled by Drive With Care from NHTSA, CDC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advice [3, 6, 15].
If you slide off or get stranded
- Stay with your car, which is your shelter and is easier for rescuers to spot than a person on foot [3, 6, 13].
- Call for help, and describe your location using nearby exits or mile markers.
- Signal for help with a bright cloth on the antenna. Lift the hood once snow isn’t falling [6].
- Clear the tailpipe first, then run the engine for about 10 minutes an hour for heat, with a window cracked open [6].
- Stay warm: move your arms and legs to keep blood flowing [6]. Don’t wear yourself out shoveling [3].
Deciding not to drive
The most important winter skill is choosing not to go. NWS alerts are your first guide [4]:
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| NWS alert | What it means | What to do with your trip |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Storm Watch | A major storm is possible | Plan ahead: move the trip or get ready to wait |
| Winter Weather Advisory | Snow or ice is expected, below warning level | Go only if needed, and drive with caution |
| Winter Storm Warning | Heavy snow, sleet or ice is expected | Wait until roads improve |
| Ice Storm Warning | Usually about 1/4 inch of ice or more | Stay off the road |
| Blizzard Warning | Gusts of 35 mph or more with snow, visibility under 1/4 mile for hours | Stay home |
Then check your state DOT’s road reports. In Colorado, for example, you can call 511 or check COtrip [11]. Michigan’s Mi Drive map even shows where plows are working [12]. NHTSA advises postponing nonessential trips when conditions are poor [3].
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Go, delay or don’t go: a quick decision table
| Factor | Go, with care | Delay | Don’t go |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWS alert | None, or an advisory | Winter Storm Warning | Ice Storm or Blizzard Warning |
| Road reports | Plowed and treated | Snow covered or icy patches | Closed or “travel not advised” |
| Temperature | Well above freezing, dry | Near 32°F after rain or a thaw | Freezing rain falling |
| Time of day | Daylight | Dawn or after dark | Whiteout at any hour |
| Your car | Good tread, kit, full tank | Worn tread or no kit | Bald or summer tires, broken defroster |
| You | Rested, used to snow | New to snow | Tired, impaired or rushed |
Our rule of thumb: if any factor lands in “Don’t go,” stay home. If two or more land in “Delay,” wait.
For employers: OSHA says employers should set and enforce driver safety policies and make sure workers are trained for winter driving [15]. During warnings, let staff start late or work remotely. Never penalize anyone for waiting out a storm.
Advice for new drivers and those new to snow
Teens and other new drivers should log their first snow miles with an experienced adult, in daylight, on quiet roads. Parents can set a family rule of no solo driving under a winter storm warning, paired with a standing offer of a ride home.
If you just moved to a snowy climate, buy winter tires and build your kit before the first storm. Learn which roads get plowed first. Don’t match local drivers’ speed. Instead, drive at the speed your grip allows. And remember that 36°F on the dashboard can still mean ice on the bridge.
Frequently asked questions
Should you pump your brakes on ice?
Only if your car lacks ABS. With ABS, NHTSA advises firm, continuous pressure [3]. Without ABS, squeeze firmly, and ease off and reapply if the wheels lock [3, 13].
Why do bridges freeze before roads?
NWS warns that bridges and overpasses freeze first [5], because a bridge deck loses heat from above and below while a road draws warmth from the ground.
At what temperature does black ice form?
Pavement can be colder than the air. NWS notes that frost often forms with thermometers in the mid 30s [5]. So treat 38°F or lower as an ice alert.
Do you need winter tires if you have all wheel drive?
Often, yes. CDOT notes that AWD helps you get moving, but tires decide how well you stop and turn [11]. If snow lingers where you live, winter tires on all four wheels add grip that AWD alone cannot.
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Slow down before you need to, and make every move gentle. Treat bridges, shade and any temperature near freezing as icy until proven otherwise. When alerts or road reports say stay home, the safest trip is the one you postpone.
Related articles
- Safe following distance: the 3 second rule and when to add more
- Driving in rain: hydroplaning, standing water and flood safety
- Driving in fog: safe speeds, the right lights and when to pull off
- Vehicle maintenance for safety: tires, brakes, lights and warning signs
- Roadside breakdown safety: what to do when your car breaks down
Sources and further reading
- 1Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Road Weather Management Program. How Do Weather Events Impact Roads? Five-year averages, 2019 to 2023 (NHTSA data as of May 2024). Accessed October 3, 2026. ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/q1_roadimpact.htm
- 2FHWA, Road Weather Management Program. Snow & Ice. No date shown. Accessed October 3, 2026. ops.fhwa.dot.gov/…/snow_ice.htm
- 3National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Winter Weather Driving Tips. Accessed October 3, 2026. nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips
- 4National Weather Service (NWS). Winter Weather Warnings, Watches and Advisories. December 2, 2020. weather.gov/safety/winter-ww
- 5NWS. Ice Storms (black ice, bridges and frost). July 31, 2019. weather.gov/safety/winter-ice-frost
- 6Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Safety Guidelines: During and After a Winter Storm. Updated January 26, 2026. cdc.gov/…/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety
- 7Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Black Ice. Accessed October 3, 2026. dot.state.mn.us/winter/blackice.html
- 8Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual: Managing Speed. Accessed October 3, 2026. pa.gov/…/managing-speed
- 9New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Driver’s Manual, Chapter 10: Special Driving Conditions. Accessed October 3, 2026. dmv.ny.gov/…/chapter-10-special-driving-conditions
- 10Oregon Department of Transportation, Driver and Motor Vehicle Services. Oregon Driver Manual, Section 7: Safe and Responsible Driving. Accessed October 3, 2026. oregon.gov/…/Study-Section_7.aspx
- 11Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Winter Driving pages: Passenger Vehicle Traction and Chain Laws (modified January 22, 2026); Vehicle and Tire Safety (modified March 16, 2026); Winter Driving FAQs (modified May 17, 2023); Snow Removal and Safety (modified September 21, 2023); Winter Driving Preparedness (modified November 18, 2025); Winter Driving hub (modified January 27, 2026).
- 12Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Winter Safety. Accessed October 3, 2026. michigan.gov/mdot/…/winter-safety
- 13AAA. Winter Driving Tips. Accessed October 3, 2026. exchange.aaa.com/…/winter-driving-tips
- 14NHTSA. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Electronic Stability Control Systems; Controls and Displays (final rule), Federal Register. April 6, 2007. federalregister.gov/…/07-1649
- 15Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Winter Weather: Hazards and Precautions. Accessed October 3, 2026. osha.gov/winter-weather/hazards
This article reflects the safety priorities of road weather science and driver instruction. It is general education, not legal or professional advice for any individual. Figures marked as our calculations are simple estimates. Laws, data and vehicle features change, so verify details with official sources. Reviewed October 2026.
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